Voice Mail #1
Rent · Rent Original Broadway Cast Disc 1 (1996)
"Speak" ... ("Beeeep!")
Mom
That was a very loud beep
I don't even know if this is working
Mark - Mark - are you there
Are you screening your calls -
It's mom
We wanted to call and say we love you
And we'll miss you tomorrow
Cindy and the kids are here - send their love
Oh, I hope you like the hot plate
Just don't leave it on dear
When you leave the house
Oh and Mark
We're sorry to hear that Maureen dumped you
I say c'est la vie
So let her be a lesbian
There are other fishies in the sea
... Love Mom
Voice Mail #1
'Voice Mail #1' is a pivotal track from the 1996 original Broadway cast recording of Jonathan Larson's musical 'Rent.' As the opening number, the song sets the tone for the show's exploration of love, loss, and the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York City. Performed by the ensemble, the piece utilizes a driving jazz-funk rhythm to depict the chaotic energy of the city while delivering the titular message about missed communication and emotional disconnection. The recording captures the raw energy of the original production, establishing the musical's signature blend of rock, pop, and jazz that defined Larson's work and influenced a generation of contemporary musical theater. Its placement at the start of the album underscores its role as both a narrative device and a thematic anchor for the entire production.